Staff

When Roderick Vester discovered the piano at the age of five, it quickly became apparent that his talents surpassed those of other children his age. His fascination with the piano, and later the organ, created a lifelong passion for music theory, harmony, and the structure of music.

Roderick has served as an accompanist for a plethora of national recording artists including Oleta Adams, Lamar Campbell, Kurt Carr, Aretha Franklin, Kelly Price, LeAndria Johnson, Judith Christie-McAllister, V. Michael McKay, Richard Smallwood, Tye Tribbett, and Cece Winans. In 2013, Roderick served as accompanist and instrumental director for the Sounds of Celebration Concert with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. As a musician, producer, and arranger, Roderick has been credited with over twenty-seven music CDs.

Roderick has also worked as a recurring arranger and producer for The United Methodist Publishing House. As a composer, Roderick’s music has been published in the Total Praise Hymnal: Songs and Other Worship Resources for Every Generation. Roderick received his Master’s degree in Musicology with a minor in Music Theory and Composition at The University of Memphis: Thesis entitled: When Bad News Becomes Good News: Lucie E. Campbell’s “Something Within” from the Jordanaires to Nathan Carter. Roderick also holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Counseling. He is currently a PhD student in Music Education (Choral Emphasis) at The University of Mississippi.

Roderick served as Director of Music at First Baptist Church-Broad for seven years. Under his direction, the repertoire of the Music Ministry of FBCB expanded greatly through its incorporation of anthems, classical, jazz idioms, and spiritual songs. In December 2012, the Sounds for the Season Christmas Concert featured national recording artist Sheri Jones-Moffett. In December 2014, the He Brought Joy Christmas Concert featured Grammy Award Winner Smokie Norful. In December 2017, A Soulful Christmas Concert featured the PRIZM Chamber Orchestra. The Sanctuary Choir of FBCB was nominated for Best Choir by the Best in Black Awards Memphis.

Sabrina has enjoyed an exciting international performing career in many prestigious venues. Recent recitals have been in Carnegie Hall in New York City, the National Concert Hall in Ireland, Beijing University, the Central Conservatory of Music in China, and recitals in Seoul, Korea. Sabrina’s performances have been broadcast live on BBC and RTHK radio and TV. Her performances have been described as “warm, sensitively balanced and flexible” with “emotional engagement…expressive depth” by the Irish Times.

Sabrina is flute faculty at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. She has taught at Lycoming College in PA, the National University of Ireland in Maynooth, and Michigan State University. In addition to performing and teaching, Sabrina has worked in several orchestras, including the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Wexford Opera Orchestra, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Iris Orchestra, and the Memphis Symphony.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Sabrina’s early studies were at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. She then attended the Mannes College of Music in New York City, where she completed a Bachelor of Music, studying with Keith Underwood. Further studies were at the Royal Northern College of Music with Peter Lloyd in Manchester, England where she completed a Masters of Music. Sabrina completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University where she was the Teaching Assistant for Richard Sherman.

Sabrina is also founding Co-Artistic Director of one of the most exciting chamber music festivals in Europe, The Walled City Music Festival in Derry, Northern Ireland.